Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
alkali
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
ballast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
bare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods.
BEACH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
beat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew were rude.
blast-lamps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
careless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
cars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
clank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
crowds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew were rude.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
daybreak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
dusk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
ears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
flaring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew were rude.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
gravel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew were rude.
hammers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
hoarse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods.
hosts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew were rude.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew were rude.
Lister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew were rude.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
muskeg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
noisy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
opera
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew were rude.
plains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods.
pleasure-seeking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
ploughs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
rails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
rude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew were rude.
shack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods.
shouts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
showers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods.
stop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
strenuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew were rude.
swallowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
tangled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
throw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
tracknounUS /træk/
a route or signs showing the way someone went
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
uproar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From daybreak until dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew were rude.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When a soft muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast cars.
wind-swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods.
WINNIPEG
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading WINNIPEG BEACH Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd.
woods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods.
